Inventory for November 23rd, 2014

This week’s inventory includes Esquire’s list of best bars, a visit with Maxim Kilian, pie flavoured liqueurs, and single malts from the Isle of Islay.

‘Tis the season … while that might not ring fully true here in Europe, our North American siblings over westward have already celebrated Thanksgiving (Canada) or are readying themselves for the turkey day next Thursday (USA).
Because most of us will be stuffing some sort of bird (or tofurky) soon enough, we’ve found two large-batch cocktails that will keep the masses entertained while you wrangle with the fowl in the kitchen. First up is is the Rosemary, Baby!, which uses rosemary infused Aperol and bourbon. And because one can never go wrong with Champagne, we’re eying the Spiced Blood Orange Champagne Punch by Spoon Fork Bacon.
1) Esquire’s American Best Bar List
In this, their ninth year of celebrating America’s best bars, Esquire has once again enlisted writer David Wondrich to lead the way towards cocktail nirvana. Bars like the Rum Club in Portland and Broussard’s in New Orleans make an appearance. More obscure ones like Rye in Baltimore and Anchor Restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut also drop in while Wondrich finishes his list with Seattle’s Canon: Whiskey and Bitters Emporium. See the complete list here.
2) Freunde von Freunden visits Maxim Kilian
Everyone’s favorite interior design website Freunde von Freunden recently took a stroll through Maxim Kilian’s life. Pictured at work in Frankfurt’s “The Parlour” the bar manager discusses his first attempts at making a cocktail, living in other countries, and bars that are still on his bucket list.
After being crowned Germany’s “World Class Bartender of the Year” 2014 Maxim is enjoying a huge bout of popularity. MIXOLOGY ONLINE  spoke to him at the beginning of this week.
3) Pie Flavored Liqueurs Trend refuses to Die
Diageo just released its Piehole range, comprised by three flavours of Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, and Pecan Pie. They appear to be marketing their products to people who miss grandma’s fresh pie, but can’t be bothered a) make their own b) buy their own or c) ask grandma to make them a pie.
No, no. These sophisticated consumers instead reach for a bottle of 35% ABV Piehole Apple Pie Canadian whisky which boasts with flavors of sweet apple pie filling, baked crust with a hint of cinnamon, and clove spice. Judging by The Spirits Business’ article the whisky liqueurs will only be available in Canada, too bad.
4) Unconventional Single Malts from the Isle of Islay
A bottle that’s as shimmering blue as the lake that borders the distillery, Bruichladdich’s flagship single malt scotch whisky is as unconventional in taste, as it is in packaging. Master distiller Jim McEwan creates The Classic Laddie with pure, Scottish barley and local spring water.
Aged in American oak barrels on the Isle of Islay the scotch boasts with clean, floral notes that are refreshing to taste. The extremely slow distillation process releases delicate oils and aromas which lend the single malt its succinctly malty taste and tell stories of the people and the land it comes from.